Which parts fail
Components named in complaints (power steering, steering column, rack and pinion).
Mileage when the problem started
Owner reports
Selected complaints filed with NHTSA by 1999 Pontiac Grand AM owners, lightly cleaned up (personal details are redacted by NHTSA).
I have a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM, about a year ago . I did as those durango drivers, I was driving in the parking lot of a grocery store when the stering went out and I hit a concret barrier. It demolished the right front end . I wrote to the GM motor co Pontiac devision they wanted to know what I wanted I told them all I wanted was to check it out I have never heard anything back from them my insurance carrier would have a accident repoet I don't know the exact date. I saw a news clip on c.b.s evening news how to contact you . I called the police but they didn't fill out a accident report it did $1800.00 dammage to the car I just thought you might like to know harold carson spartanburg s.c.
Clock spring has a disk that is not a uniform desgine due to it splitting and bowing out. Steering wheel sticks when turned either direction and horn is set off as well. The airbag light is also on and would assume that it would not inflate in the event of a frontal collision. Pontiac feels that the disk that should be one solid piece that I believe is two pieces, im responsible for their defective craftsmanship.
My car is a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM gt. I have 55,600 miles on the vehicle and have had nothing but problems with the vehicle. Before the car even had 30.000 miles on it, the alternator went bad (I was initially told it was a bad battery, so in addition I purchased a new battery), the steering wheel was replaced, and the dome lights were replaced. Between 30,000 and 50,000 miles, the electronic throttle regulator went bad, the engine coolant system cap leaked and damaged my belts, and the intake gasket is leaking. With a new car, this is an unreasonable amount of defects and I needed to know how to report this car as a serious hazard or as a serious lemon.
My wife purchased a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM in 1999. For the last two years, we have been experiencing problems like the steering wheel making sounds when we turn the wheel, brake lights burn out frequently, fuses on back lights are shorted out with signs of melted metal, water gets into the trunk and collects. We have spoke to the dealer as well as several mechanics about these problems and we are told these are common problems with this type of car. I found out that by going in on any search engine and typing in "1999 Pontiac Grand AM problems", there are thousands of complaints with the same problems. The manufacturer denies any problems.
Tl* the contact owns a 1999 Pontiac Grand AM. The contact stated that while driving approximately 35 MPH, the steering wheel seized. The contact crashed and the vehicle became lodged in between two trees, in the front yard of a neighboring home. The vehicle was destroyed. There were no injuries. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was unknown.
Driving in city at approximately 30 miles per hour the power steering failed and the engine stopped. I managed to pull it to the curb and walked approx. 1 mile home and went back, the car started back up and worked fine. I've also have had the brakes replaced three times. Currently the front end shakes sporadically when going 60-75 miles per hour.
About March 1, 2005, steering mechanism would vibrate and lose control. Front brakes would pull the car to the right. A subsequent motor vehicle accident occurred on February 7, 2005, on i80, 7 pm, going southbound. Luckily no one was injured in either car ... My car was hydroplaning due to inclement weather conditions.
Constant grinding brakes, replaced and still the same. Now, at 60.000 miles, rack and pinion is leaking and needs replaced @ $900. Rack and pinion steering column was replaced twice when I bought the car, at 44,000 miles. I AM a very disappointed GM employee and considering other makes now.
When my sons were driving back to camp pendleton where they are stationed, the steering wheel locked up, floated to the left, they went over and down a hill, car was totaled. One son received a cut finger requiring ten stiches, the other received a fractured collarbone.
While driving vehicle steers to the right unexpectedly, causing a crash. Rear lateral link bolt separated causeing left out ward movement of left rear wheel. The driver lost control and the vehicle went airborne and flipped over.
Related recalls
Steering › Steering wheel/handle bar
Vehicle description: passenger vehicles. The steering wheel can come loose from the steering shaft because the steering wheel retaining nut could have been improperly tightened.
Remedy: Dealers will inspect the steering wheel retaining nut for correct tightness and tighten if necessary.
Steering complaints in other Grand AM years
Frequently asked questions
How common are steering problems on the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM?
NHTSA has 70 complaints about the steering of the 1999 Pontiac Grand AM, 8% of the model year's 849 complaints. The component named most often is rack and pinion (14 mentions).
Is there a recall for 1999 Pontiac Grand AM steering problems?
Yes — NHTSA recall 98V-320 (steering wheel/handle bar, Dec 15, 1998). Recall repairs are free at authorized dealers.
At what mileage do 1999 Pontiac Grand AM steering problems start?
Half of the complaints with a recorded mileage happened before about 86,000 miles, and 17% before 25,000 miles.
Is it dangerous?
Owners linked 9 crashes, 0 fires and 7 injuries and 2 deaths to steering problems on this model year. If you notice symptoms, have the car checked before driving further.
Source: U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) — owner complaints through October 20, 2026, recalls and defect investigations; fuel economy from the EPA. Complaints are unverified reports and are not proof of a defect. How we rate model years.